- viewing angles and sight-lines
- atmosphere
- history
- uniqueness
- how it suits the sport being played
- and also, how it looks on telly.

I’ve not actually been to many sporting grounds outside of the UK to watch a game, only the Rose Bowl in Pasedena, Staples Arena in LA and Parc de Prince in Paris, having usually gone when they’re empty. Of those, the Rose Bowl was the best.

In the UK, it would probably have to be No.1 court at Wimbledon (I prefer it to centre-court) and Lords (although the Oval is more boisterous).

Really looking forward to wandering around the new Olympic venues though, especially the aquatics centre.

my bestest buddy is an architect and I lived with him for 2 years so I listened to him talk about it on a daily basis and became actually pretty interested on the subject (have done a few essays on it for my degree actually). He designed a rock climbing wall for his 3rd year project and did some research on stadium architecture, which i helped him with since I luv sportz. Wrigley field looks awesome because of the viewing angles that extend beyond the build, and the general "uniqueness" (manual score board, ivy trellis).

Unlike most US sports arenas that are a concrete bowl surrounded by endless carparks, Fenway Park is set on the edge of the city centre, hemmed in by its surroundings. It's incredibly compact and spectators are as close to the action as you can get. For the most authentic and traditional baseball experience possible, nothing beats an evening game here. Intimate and legendary, the stadium will celebrate its centennary this year.

2. Velodrome - London (track cycling)

Stunning from the outside, remarkably cosy on the inside. The shiny pearl in the crown of the Olympic Park. Its flowing design can accomodate up to 6,000 spectators, but you wouldn't be able to tell once you're inside, as you can almost touch the competitors, regardless what seat you're in. Excellent use of natural light and acoustics that ensure that the crowd can easily drown out the pretty powerful PA system.

3. Watercube - Beijing (swimming/diving)

As the Bird's Nest can't be included due to being an athletics stadium, this is certainly the second most special building from the most recent Olympics. Its bubble skin has made the venue instantly recognisable both during the day and particularly at night, thanks to the inventive light schemes. The technology used in the building has won several awards. Believed to be the fastest swimming pool in the world, 25 world records were broken during the Olympics.

4. Thialf - Heerenveen (ice speed skating)

The Dutch are mad about ice skating, and the most fanatic fans come from the north, where this stadium stands, the largest indoor ice rink in Holland. With a capacity of 10,000 spectators, it was the first indoor rink in the world with a 400m track, and immediately after its opening in 1986 10 world records were broken, starting a trend that transformed speed skating at the Winter Olympics. Sadly, it was never an architectural beauty, and it is due for demolition, to be replaced by a new, more advanced structure.

5. Madison Square Gardens - New York (ice hockey/basketball/boxing)

Slap-bang in the middle of Manhattan, this venue is not only home to many musical events, but is also used extensively for sports, in particular for NBA and NHL games. Although less so in recent decades, its boxing history includes many famous bouts, including the first ever Joe Frazier v Muhammed Ali fight. Architecturally, it has a chequered history, as the current building meant the demolition of the Beaux Arts Penn Station. The latest incarnation, often referred to as MSG IV, is a cylindric colossus rising between the Manhattan skyscrapers. Inside the 20,000 capacity bowl, the single tier layout can create a fantastic atmosphere for the crowd.

but i love The Rec in Bath. Not particularly nice and it even as a temporary stand, but it's just set in such a beautiful area and it's such a compact ground... I love it. Once I went in the press box there, you have to climb a set of ladders to get to it :D